by Piper Stone
My head ached, the dull pain one I’d had all night. I deserved to feel the anguish. I also deserved never finding love again. After taking a deep breath, I swung open the doors, daring myself to walk outside. The warmth from the bright sun felt good on my face, the skin around the ugliness of what I’d become tingling for the first time in ages.
The last threat had come at almost three in the morning.
You will pay...
I hadn’t bothered to text back. There’d been no point.
I took deliberate steps toward the side of the pool, staring down at the crystal clear water. Alessandra loved the pool, the freedom it gave her.
The privilege I’d allowed her.
My God. What had I become?
I could feel her eyes boring into me, creating a burning sensation crawling down my spine. As I turned to gaze at her window, there was no doubt she was watching me. The little bird in a gilded cage. Bile formed in my throat, the bitter taste just deserts for the way I’d been treating her. Sighing, I looked away, growling the moment my phone began to ring.
I didn’t want to talk to anyone. Fuck them. Fuck the damn world.
Jefferson.
He never called this early.
I debated not answering but knew better than to push fate any harder.
“What fire needs to be put out today?” I asked as I inhaled the sweet scent of saltwater, irritated by the interruption.
“A letter arrived for you by courier. I think you need to come to my office.” Jefferson’s voice was clipped, although I heard a slight glitch. He was unnerved.
“Who is it from?”
“Luis Toro.”
I shifted my gaze back to Alessandra’s window, unable to see her silhouette any longer. So my former employee had also turned this into a game. So be it. “I’ll be right there.”
I grabbed my keys, wasting no time. As I drove into the city, I thought about the first letter sent from Luis that had accompanied the proposed contract.
“Gabriel,
While I know you could never possibly understand what has occurred, my intentions were never to hurt either you or Masters Enterprises, but there were reasons. To that end, I am offering a settlement that I believe you will find acceptable. My daughter. She knows nothing of my misgivings or about the things that I’ve done. She is a victim of greed and men hungry for power. I’ve done all I can to protect her, now, I will ask that you consider doing the same. You’re the only man who is capable of doing so. As with everything in life, there is always a price. There will always be secrets. There will always be the need for revenge. I was lucky enough to get to know you. You are a good man. You will do the right thing. Please know that I am your friend.”
Friend. Perhaps he’d believed himself to be. I’d never gotten close to any of my employees, although I’d spent more time around Luis than some of the others. The very reason he’d been able to steal from me in the first place. I should have read between the lines. Luis still had something else up his sleeve, even in death.
I strode into Jefferson’s office without knocking, closing the door with a soft click.
He appeared haggard, his attire less than the usual polished look, surprising on several levels. When he lifted his head, I was able to see dark circles surrounding his eyes. He merely pushed a small envelope across my desk before rising to his feet.
I was curious as to his silence. “You seem troubled.”
“You’re damn right I’m troubled, Gabriel. When a dead man has a courier deliver a letter, that is cause for concern. And the person responsible for hiring the courier is anonymous. I already tried. I told you not to enter into this contract. I mentioned specifically that I thought the arrangement was not only odd, but likely illegal. I also mentioned that it could jeopardize everything from your family fortune to the grandiose deal with Braxton you were so dead set on.”
“You’ve read the contents of this new letter?”
“No! Of course I didn’t, but I don’t need to in order to know something is off about this.” Jefferson slapped his hands on his hips as he paced the room.
I walked closer, fingering the envelope before picking it up. “Luis wasn’t a game player.”
“You don’t think so? He certainly played one by offering his daughter like a fine wine or a wad of cash.” He fisted his forehead, cursing under his breath.
“There was another reason. Protection.”
Jefferson shot me a look, laughing halfheartedly. “You really believe that? Do you honestly think Bobby Rivers will risk everything to come after her now after everything he’s been through? Why?”
“I think Bobby was hired by someone to take out various players in this game, including Alessandra. That he didn’t go through with it might be the reason he was almost killed.” I carefully slid open the envelope, taking a deep breath before tugging the single page into the light.
Jefferson remained where he was, watching me intently.
As I unfolded the paper, my skin began to crawl.
“Gabriel,
By now you know things aren’t as they seem. There is someone close to you attempting to destroy everything you’ve worked for as he already has done to me. Look within yourself to find the answer. Be careful. Bobby Rivers will never let this go. Honor the terms of the contract and you will be rewarded.”
I laughed softly, shaking my head. The audacity of the man to warn me after his death was quite provocative. Luring me in with some kind of a reward? Cunning as fuck. However, even his death wasn’t able to hold back the vibe of raw fear that I felt through the lines. I shifted my gaze at my longtime mentor and confidant, wondering if Luis was correct. Who stood to gain the most by destroying my reputation?
“What is it?” Jefferson asked.
“Another warning.”
“Regarding?”
What I knew about games was that keeping a poker face as well as never playing your hand until the right moment was imperative. This was no exception, no matter who was standing in front of me. “Bobby Rivers.”
“Isn’t that interesting?”
“Very much so. Did you find out anything on his recent activity?” My thoughts drifted to the last text. Had Luis somehow been forced into working for the Rivers family? They were certainly a part of the old boys’ network, capable of using their power in corrupt manners, but would they resort to killing? Maybe the intent had been to scare Luis into following through with his mission by threatening his daughter. Given my interference, quite cleverly determined by Luis himself, that would certainly put them on edge. No wonder Luis had requested that I marry her. That would ensure not only her safety but put a certain amount of fear into the network of men who would enjoy seeing me fail.
Luis hadn’t given up the information. Clever bastard. Then where had he hidden it?
Jefferson sighed, finally moving toward a coffeepot, taking his time pouring a cup. “I’ve put out some feelers, Gabriel, but I already told you that drawing attention to the deal you made regarding Alessandra’s freedom wasn’t in your best interest. I’ve already fielded four additional phone calls in the last two days from the press regarding the unusual circumstances. They are not going to let this go. I’ve done my best to keep the wolves at bay, but I assure you, that’s not going to last forever. You will have to face questions if not hefty allegations.”
“What else aren’t you telling me?”
He appeared sheepish as hell.
“Look, while the judge might have agreed on this insanity, the prosecuting attorney is making waves, attempting to have Judge Taylor’s ruling thrown out. I have to tell you that it is a distinct possibility. If that occurs, there is nothing you or your wealth can do to alter the outcome. She will go to prison.”
“Then you need to find out why she was framed. It’s quite obvious her worthless attorney couldn’t handle the task. My guess is that Stephen Cantor was placed under the same pressure that Luis Toro was. Whatever this game is that’s being played, I’m dir
ectly in the middle of it.”
He rubbed his eyes, finally taking a sip of his coffee then pushing the cup away. “Why, Gabriel? Why go to all that trouble? Because this network you insist exists doesn’t like the fact you’re succeeding? Because of the Braxton land deal? Those families you believe are out to get you have better things to do and they certainly wouldn’t hire one of their family members to place threats. That doesn’t make any sense.”
“If Bobby Rivers is behind the threats being made, I will take him down and I don’t give a shit who his family is.”
“Goddamn it. You’re infuriating. As I said, I asked around. From what I’ve been told, the kid is laying low. He’s living on his family’s ranch. He hasn’t gotten into any trouble since the incident at the bar. You can’t always be the vigilante on things. You’re going to find yourself in more trouble than...”
“Than what, Jefferson?” I inched closer, daring him to bring up the past. “Go ahead. Say it. Say whatever you’ve wanted to say since the day I arrived in America. Tell me that I’m a murderer. I already know that.” I clenched my fist, prepared for whatever he was going to throw at me.
“Damn it,” Jefferson hissed, his face reddening. “Why don’t you just concentrate on business?”
I allowed the silence to reign.
“I’m not saying anything to you. You’ve suffered enough for a crime... For an accident that nearly destroyed your family. Now tell me more about these threats you’ve received.”
Accident. Perhaps that was easier for him to swallow. Snarling, I sucked in my breath, controlling my anger.
“Enough to know that someone is threatening to share a wretched story about a girl in my life. There have only been two.”
For a split second, I noticed the change in his demeanor, the flash in his eyes. I refused to acknowledge my fury. “What about the wedding?”
“While I’m not your personal wedding planner, everything is in order. You may want to allow your bride to be to select her own dress, or would you prefer to do that for her like everything else?”
“Damn it, Jefferson. There is much more at stake here. Isn’t that becoming more obvious?”
“Why don’t you ask yourself why that might be? Why don’t you take the time to talk to your brother? Maybe he has some insight.”
I laughed as I gazed up and down, studying him like a hawk. He had aged significantly over the last three years. Maybe we both had. “And I suppose that’s why you gave him my phone number.”
He was certainly keeping more secrets than he wanted to admit.
“Whether you believe it or not, I care about you. I want you to find happiness.”
“So I’ve heard before. Make certain that Alessandra is protected. She will not be taken into custody. That will never happen.”
As the chirp of his phone sounded in the room, I turned away, uncertain what I wanted to tell him about the threats or if I wanted to say a damn thing. Whatever Luis was trying to tell me likely cost him his life.
Was there anyone I could actually trust? More important, where was this game actually going? Jefferson was right. The various details were nagging at me; however, I was a part of whatever scheme was ongoing. While the neat package would help me assume that Bobby Rivers was simply vengeful, perhaps for something Luis had done, I knew that wasn’t the case. Luis had been used because of his direct connections with me.
“Jefferson Williams,” he barked into the phone. “You have to be kidding me.” After a few seconds, he lifted his gaze, his eyes open wide. “When?” He leaned over his desk, planting his hand on the surface. “Jesus Christ. How much time?” Whatever information he’d received had rattled him. “I completely understand and I appreciate you letting me know.”
He said nothing for a full thirty seconds after ending the call. When he finally looked up, his breathing was labored.
“What is it?” I finally asked.
“That was Stephen Cantor. You need to listen to me very carefully. Stephen anticipates that Judge Taylor’s ruling is going to be revoked within the next twenty-four hours. They will come for Alessandra even if a new trial is required.”
“Fuck. They will not take her away from me. They will not!”
“You may not have a choice, Gabriel.” He moved around the desk, his face pensive. “Whoever is threatening you isn’t Bobby Rivers.”
“How the hell would you know that?” I growled, my blood pressure increasing.
“Because Bobby Rivers was murdered sometime last night.”
Chapter Sixteen
Gabriel
Murdered.
While Jefferson had insisted that we talk, trying desperately to keep me from leaving his office, I’d shoved him away, determined to get back to my home. Everything was unraveling, including my mind, nothing making any sense.
Kito had assured me that they’d only had a discussion with Bobby, leaving him very much alive, but I doubted that their stories would be believed. What I did know is that no one was going to take Alessandra away from me. She needed to remember what happened that night. That would indicate who else was involved.
I had heard that Kito had gained almost nothing from Bobby except that he seemed agitated, nervous that they would be seen talking together. Who the hell was the person behind this entire situation? The only person who made any sense was Jefferson. Hell, he’d gone away on an unexpected trip, telling me only that a family situation had to be dealt with. I snarled, realizing that he knew everything about my business, with one exception. While he’d been hired to handle my legal issues, he’d never had anything to do with my finances. He’d need an inside person to glean the kind of information that would prove to be damaging.
My gut churned at the thought.
I floored the accelerator, ignoring the speed limit. I’d already put into motion arrangements to take her out of the city, at least for a little while. At this point, she was still considered under my guardianship.
What the hell was going on? Had Bobby been eliminated, his use no longer necessary? A loose end. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
None of the pieces fit together.
My only other source of information was Aiden. His message was loud and clear. Forces were moving in to try to destroy me. I was beyond being furious, but the one thing I would concentrate on now was keeping Alessandra safe.
As I rolled into the driveway, a foreboding sense became overwhelming. The entire situation was coming to a head. My blood pressure continued to rise and when I noticed a sleek black SUV pulled just in front of the main door, my entire world started to crumble.
The moment I parked alongside, cutting the engine and jumping out, Kito rushed toward me, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Masters. I couldn’t stop him. There was no reason to, but I knew you might be upset.” Kito flanked my side, his tone riddled with uncertainty.
“Who is it?” I barked as I opened the front door. Suddenly, the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.
“Hello, brother.”
I’d often planned on what would happen the moment I set foot on Irish soil again, the words I’d say or the reaction I’d face at seeing my brothers. It wasn’t the one that occurred when seeing Liam standing in the foyer, his hands in his pockets and an expression that wore on my emotions instantly.
He’d aged, more so than I would have expected, his once happy eyes dull and lifeless, lines crisscrossing his forehead. Still, he remained boyish, his blond hair another reminder of our beautiful mother.
An intense ache formed in my heart.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Even my voice couldn’t hide the mixture of ugly emotions.
“I had to come since you refused to talk to me.” He swept his gaze toward Kito, obviously tense.
A part of me wanted to throw him out of the house, but if he’d traveled all the way from Ireland, there was a solid reason. “I’ve had business to deal with.”
Liam dared walk closer to me, offering a genuine smile. “Y
ou look good, brother. Better than the rest of us.”
There were dozens of retorts I wanted to spout off, but there was no time for childish semantics. “I don’t have much time, Liam. There is an issue I’m being forced to deal with.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
I narrowed my eyes, ignoring the curse words coming from Kito’s mouth, the man obviously distracted by something on his phone. I walked even closer to my brother, staring him directly in the eyes. “What in the hell are you talking about?”
“Mr. Masters. You’re going to want to see this.” Kito’s voice held urgency.
“It will have to wait,” I stated, still keeping eye contact with Liam. Whatever my brother had on his mind had been troubling him for some time.
“I don’t think it can wait.” Kito’s heavy footsteps forced me to snarl.
“What?” I barked as he held his phone in front of my face. Oh, my God. I had to blink several times in order to understand what I was seeing. The pictures. The horrible pictures of the crash ten years before had been splashed across the news. My hand shaking, I took the phone from him, my mind shifting to the night all those years ago.
The horrible sound as the metal twisted.
Her horrific cry.
“What is it?” Liam asked, although his voice seemed to be in a tunnel.
“Did you do this?” I asked, shaken to the core. I shoved the phone into his hand, watching every nuance, ever facial tic as he glanced at the horrible pictures.
Swallowing hard, Liam lifted his gaze after several seconds. I could see tears in his eyes. “I would never do anything to hurt you, Gabriel. I love you. You’re my brother. I came here to warn you this was going to happen.”
* * *
Alessandra...
All I could think about was the woman I cared for desperately. Her face. Her voice. Her touch.
Her sex.
I’d sent for her, making certain Kito would have her ready to leave at a moment’s notice. I wasn’t going to wait until the decision was reversed. I had to get her the hell away from here. I would protect her from the evils of this world.
